CII urges State to increase allocation of land to industry in Tiruchi Master Plan

The Confederation of Indian Industry, CII, Tiruchi Zone, has urged the State government to earmark 12% of land for industrial development in the Tiruchi Master Plan for 2021-2041, which is set to be released soon.

Under the draft plan, which was released on February 7, 2024, the land area will go up from the existing 281.14 sq. km. to 804.55 sq. km. The boundaries of Tiruchi Corporation, Lalgudi, and Thuvakudi municipalities, four town panchayats, and 103 villages have been included in the draft plan.

The urban radial of the plan extends up to Manachanallur in the north, Lalgudi and Thuvakudi in the northeast, Kuzhumani in the west and Pudukottai district border, Manikandam and Olaiyur in the south. Of the total 804.55 sq. km., the land classified as residential is about 195 sq. km, and about 60 sq. km has been added. The area earmarked under residential category constitutes 24.2%.

The area earmarked for commercial purposes stands at 29.22 sq.km, which is 3.6% of the total planning area., and 39.4 sq.km is classified as industrial, which is 4.9% of the total planning area.

Industrial forums have flagged the proposal, saying the land allocation for industry is very low and highly insufficient for development.

“The industrial profile of Tiruchi has been changing at a rapid pace in the recent past. Manufacturing, Information Technology and IT-enabled services and other industries are catching up. There is a critical need for 12% land allocation in the new master plan,” says Ajay Jayaraj, Chairman, CII, Tiruchi zone.

It could meet the requirements of major industries and promote balanced growth. “If we have sufficient land reserved for the sector, we can attract major industries. If need be, Manapparai municipality and adjoining local bodies could also be included in the master plan, as Manapparai possesses large parcels of barren land,” he further said.

The District Town and Country Plan is in the process of incorporating changes, and the demand from industrial forums must be studied and suitable action taken. The demand of CII has also been mentioned in the ‘Tiruchi Vision 2030’ document. Moreover, it has been taken to the notice of district administration and the State government, he added.